Should I buy? Uncertain

HI guys! I just got my vacation club info packet in the mail! wicked excited but still so uncertain - can anyone help me? I really want to figure out if this would be worth it financially -
I am looking at buying the 150 point deal - financed at 10%
so it looks like with the thing I got (it only shows me buying into AK - is there a reason for that?) I could buy in at like $2150 a year for 10 years financed with $895 a year in fees....

That comes out to just over $3000 for 2014 which would give me 150 points - almost enough for 1 bedroom at AK in Dec. - I know my family would need the space of a one bedroom - but that is 154 points...how do I make that work and still go this year?

also what about dining plan? extra magic hours? transpo....

how do you all make it work? I feel like I need a book for dummies to navigate - if anyone at all can give me a break down for the financially challenged or just even give me some examples of how they make it work - I would be ETERNALLY grateful!!!!!

That comes out to just over $3000 for 2014 which would give me 150 points - almost enough for 1 bedroom at AK in Dec. - I know my family would need the space of a one bedroom - but that is 154 points...how do I make that work and still go this year?

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Disney has one time use points of up to 24 points once a year. These are only good at the 7 month window or sooner. These points cost $15 per point. If you buy 150 points and book your vacation within those 7 months you can buy the few extra points you need to fill out your reservation.

You can also rent points or do a point transfer from other members.

I think I would buy maybe 160 instead of the 150 and bank the extra points each year.

HI guys! I just got my vacation club info packet in the mail! wicked excited but still so uncertain - can anyone help me? I really want to figure out if this would be worth it financially -
I am looking at buying the 150 point deal - financed at 10%
so it looks like with the thing I got (it only shows me buying into AK - is there a reason for that?) I could buy in at like $2150 a year for 10 years financed with $895 a year in fees....

That comes out to just over $3000 for 2014 which would give me 150 points - almost enough for 1 bedroom at AK in Dec. - I know my family would need the space of a one bedroom - but that is 154 points...how do I make that work and still go this year?

also what about dining plan? extra magic hours? transpo....

how do you all make it work? I feel like I need a book for dummies to navigate - if anyone at all can give me a break down for the financially challenged or just even give me some examples of how they make it work - I would be ETERNALLY grateful!!!!!

THanks so much!

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Without knowing more info about your group and visit history, it's difficult to know if DVC makes sense for you in general terms. However, paying almost double retail compared to resale AND financing at usurious rates doesn't seem like a good idea to me. I wouldn't borrow money for a timeshare or any luxury purchase.

Disney has one time use points of up to 24 points once a year. These are only good at the 7 month window or sooner. These points cost $15 per point. If you buy 150 points and book your vacation within those 7 months you can buy the few extra points you need to fill out your reservation.

You can also rent points or do a point transfer from other members.

I think I would buy maybe 160 instead of the 150 and bank the extra points each year.

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OK - I think that makes sense - and it isn't that much more money - although the extra 4 points would only be $60 dollars but what does that one time use mean? this all seems very confusing, lol....makes me feel stupid!

So Disney has you paying about $143/ point for AKV points? You could pay $72 a point if you buy resale. Check at the top of the page where is says DVC Resale Listings. That is just one company, but it is a sponsor of the DIS.

DVC members get all the same perks as any Disney resort guest like Magical Express, Extra Magic Hours, Magic Band, etc. But you won't get free dining or specials like they offer for a Disney package (like 20% off, buy four nights/get two free nights).

Without knowing more info about your group and visit history, it's difficult to know if DVC makes sense for you in general terms. However, paying almost double retail compared to resale AND financing at usurious rates doesn't seem like a good idea to me. I wouldn't borrow money for a timeshare or any luxury purchase.

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ahhh see I don't know what the resale is? where does that come from?
we are a new family group - just visited for the first time this December - but looking to start going every year-ish.....
I wouldn't exactly be borrowing - or would I? I planned on using the money I would normally set aside for Disney trips to pay for the DVC club....but if I financed for 10 years at 10% down there is a 12% fee..so I guess it is borrowing - see how confused I am, lol!!!!

So Disney has you paying about $143/ point for AKV points? You could pay $72 a point if you buy resale. Check at the top of the page where is says DVC Resale Listings. That is just one company, but it is a sponsor of the DIS.

DVC members get all the same perks as any Disney resort guest like Magical Express, Extra Magic Hours, Magic Band, etc. But you won't get free dining or specials like they offer for a Disney package (like 20% off, buy four nights/get two free nights).

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that is such good information - not sure how to process it but it makes it sound like DVC is not actually a savings - but what about after I finish paying it off in 10 years and then have those points for like $900 a year - isn't that when the savings will really kick in? I feel soo stupid for being so confused!!!!

Resales are where DVC members re-sell their DVC contracts. There are several big brokers who re-sell DVC contracts. You can also buy any of the resorts directly from Disney but it costs almost double (like Deb & Bill mentioned, you could buy AKV resale @ $72pp instead of buying from Disney at $143pp). Can't use points bought via resale for Concierge collection or Disney cruise line (but those aren't the best use of points anyway).

If you finance that is a loan and you'll pay the finance charges. A lot of folks on here are very opposed to financing DVC, but if it works for you

If you buy a resale you have to pay in full or secure your own loan.

As far as DP and tickets....what has worked for us is getting the DVC discounted APs and doing 2-3 shorter trips on them (in the year they are good for) and getting TIW card for dining (which gets you 20% off most TS places...bar tab and all). We'd do an AP year at WDW (odd years, so last year) and then use our DVC in even years to do beach trips (did HH and then VB and have HH planned again this year).

As far as having the 4 extra points to get that 1BR for your trip...you can also borrow those 4 points from your next use year. Say you have a June use year..you get 150 points in June 2014 and then 150 more will come in June 2015. You can borrow 4 from the 2015 use year (UY). Then you will have 146 left coming in June 2015.

ahhh see I don't know what the resale is? where does that come from?
we are a new family group - just visited for the first time this December - but looking to start going every year-ish.....
I wouldn't exactly be borrowing - or would I? I planned on using the money I would normally set aside for Disney trips to pay for the DVC club....but if I financed for 10 years at 10% down there is a 12% fee..so I guess it is borrowing - see how confused I am, lol!!!!

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Clearly it is borrowing and clearly debt, you'd be financing vacations. Personally I don't recommend people buy any depreciating asset or increase consumer debt, too much risk. Being able to make the payments is not the same thing as being able to afford the purchase IMO.

There are several options to buy resale including several brokers that specialize, redweeks, Timeshare Users Group classifieds and ebay. Clearly you need to spend more time learning about the system and your options, you can always buy later. I would certainly not buy retail for AKV or SSR regardless and while you lose the options for cruises, the concierge collection, Disney Collection and ABD; those are not a good value using points for anyway so you really lose nothing of value.

that is such good information - not sure how to process it but it makes it sound like DVC is not actually a savings - but what about after I finish paying it off in 10 years and then have those points for like $900 a year - isn't that when the savings will really kick in? I feel soo stupid for being so confused!!!!

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You will have the points either way, it will just be much cheaper to buy resale. It's like buying a pair of designer jeans from the designer store or from a consignment store, both ways you still end up with the jeans, but you will pay more straight from the designer.

Do yourself a favor and take a few weeks to read these forums and learn, learn, learn. Disney will only show you their offerings because they are in business to make money, not to save you money. Bill

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Read Bill's words over and over.

We studied and learned for two full years all while taking three more trips to Disney visiting the various DVC resorts during that time before making our decision to buy into DVC. There is a wealth of information on this site alone that will help prepare you to make the best possible decision for you and your family.

The most important initial piece of advice I can give you is to not do anything related to purchase quickly. Once you are in, you are in and understanding everything about DVC before committing thousands of dollars would be a wise choice.

Once you are in, you are in and understanding everything about DVC before committing thousands of dollars would be a wise choice.

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And far too many people when making the purchase get hung up on the emotions. And how they "believe it should/will work" and then you get people who have owned for three years and are surprised/disappointed by the lack of beds in a studio, or the increase in dues or availability, or the lack of discounts, or the maintenance/remodel schedule.

DVC isn't pixie dust. It may be a good value. Most often, I believe it changes your patterns in such a way that you don't save money - but it may be a good value. If you are looking to save money, there are other ways to do Disney that are cheaper. If you are looking for maximum flexibility - you really don't want to own. A very important thing to keep in mind is that this is a potential business transaction with a large and profitable company that for most of us will not be costing us pocket change. Treat it as such and not like you are getting a photo with Mickey.

After several years of renting points, I wouldn't buy into DVC at this point anyways. However, if we did come into some unforseen large allotment of cash, I would buy resale. Disney's asking price for DVC has become a joke.

Wow everyone! Thanks so much for the awesome information!! I am trying to learn as much as I can before we make any kind of decision and that is why I posted here! I knew you guys would have great advice and great information! It is very overwhelming and very expensive and I don't want to committ myself to something this big without having all the information and advice that I can get!

I am appreciateive of any and all help/advice/information you guys have to share and I will be spending many many hours reading and rereading all the information available here and anywhere else I can find it!

And far too many people when making the purchase get hung up on the emotions.

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That is SO true. Heck... I was 100% sure I was buying resale (which we ultimately did), but we did the tour for fun a year ago while at Disney and that pixie dust seems so real when we were bathing in the magic. I found myself WANTING to buy direct while we were there. And I knew better! I really knew better!

Fortunately I took a deep breath, forced myself to come home without buying anything, continued to study and learn another few months and finally bought resale.

I can only imagine what the average guest goes through that isn't armed with all the info I had when I did the tour.

caselaw3 - I think I read you just took your first trip in December. If that is true, I can see how you are totally excited about DVC and want to buy now. Very understandable after returning home from probably one of the best vacations you've ever had! Please remember that DVC is a 28-50 year proposition (assuming you never sell your membership), it is pretty darn expensive and there are so many factors to consider.

Will you still want to go every year / every other year 10 years from now?

How much will your annual dues cost 20 years from now? (You can assume they will roughly double in that timespan)

How many points are right for you and your family?

How many points will be right for your family 5 or 10 years from now?

Will we really want to buy park passes, food and airfare once or twice every year to the same destination? The cost of those three items cost WAY more than the annual dues on our 150 point contract.

Those are just a few of probably 100 questions (literally) we kicked around during our two year decision making process.

Just take it slow... Read and learn. I guarantee DVC will still be there to purchase after you've done your homework.

If you'd like any more specific detail around our lengthy decision making process, please feel free to send me a private message and I'll be glad to share what I can.

That is SO true. Heck... I was 100% sure I was buying resale (which we ultimately did), but we did the tour for fun a year ago while at Disney and that pixie dust seems so real when we were bathing in the magic. I found myself WANTING to buy direct while we were there. And I knew better! I really knew better!

Fortunately I took a deep breath, forced myself to come home without buying anything, continued to study and learn another few months and finally bought resale.

I can only imagine what the average guest goes through that isn't armed with all the info I had when I did the tour.

caselaw3 - I think I read you just took your first trip in December. If that is true, I can see how you are totally excited about DVC and want to buy now. Very understandable after returning home from probably one of the best vacations you've ever had! Please remember that DVC is a 28-50 year proposition (assuming you never sell your membership), it is pretty darn expensive and there are so many factors to consider.

Will you still want to go every year / every other year 10 years from now?

How much will your annual dues cost 20 years from now? (You can assume they will roughly double in that timespan)

How many points are right for you and your family?

How many points will be right for your family 5 or 10 years from now?

Will we really want to buy park passes, food and airfare once or twice every year to the same destination? The cost of those three items cost WAY more than the annual dues on our 150 point contract.

Those are just a few of probably 100 questions (literally) we kicked around during our two year decision making process.

Just take it slow... Read and learn. I guarantee DVC will still be there to purchase after you've done your homework.

If you'd like any more specific detail around our lengthy decision making process, please feel free to send me a private message and I'll be glad to share what I can.

Mav

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Thanks Mav!! It is true we are totally flying high on pixie dust right now, lol
although we had considered buying in to DVC before we went on the trip (this was my 5th trip to WDW but my families first). If it were up to me I would go every year 2-3 times a year but lets face it -I know my budget doesn't allow for that!

I knew this was the place to go BEFORE i made any big decision regarding buying in to DVC! There is so much information to sort through and so much financially to think about! ...

And I was thinking about that extra cost as well - if we are investing in the 150 point deal with 10 year financing - that's just over $3000 a year for just a place to stay - then we need to have airfare and park tickets, food, miscellaneous expenses - i mean yeah maybe after year 10 it would be beneficial but ....

And I was thinking about that extra cost as well - if we are investing in the 150 point deal with 10 year financing - that's just over $3000 a year for just a place to stay - then we need to have airfare and park tickets, food, miscellaneous expenses - i mean yeah maybe after year 10 it would be beneficial but ....

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Don't underestimate this. We've done quite well financially over our decade plus of ownership - but park tickets and airfare have both gone up far in excess of our salaries - in part because we used to have Disney children and we now have Disney adults for ticket purposes.

Don't underestimate this. We've done quite well financially over our decade plus of ownership - but park tickets and airfare have both gone up far in excess of our salaries - in part because we used to have Disney children and we now have Disney adults for ticket purposes.

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Yea - that is a big consideration - in 10 years we won't have disney kids anymore!! and then things will be even more expensive - ugh